posted on November 21, 2000 10:27:12 AM
HI all - I lost one of my "ebay hunting" locations yesterday when the local S.A. doubled its book prices. It's now $1 for paperbacks and $2 and up for hardcover. I was told it was a corporate decision, at least in the main office in the Big City, not a local decision. I walked out without buying anything.
I don't spend a lot there, but I'm steady. I don't see the stuff moving otherwise. It's a shame, but I hope they do manage to sell some stuff to ...someone!
posted on November 21, 2000 11:49:31 AM
One of the larger Salvation Army stores near me is selling all books for 25 cents. They get so many donated they can't find enough space to put them.
posted on November 21, 2000 01:01:22 PM
I was shopping at Goodwill yesterday. Kids' jeans that were $1.99 last week were $6.99 to $8.99. I saw a "new" item with the original price tag of $8 still attached. Goodwill's price -- $7.99.
I mentioned it politely to the manager, as a sort of constructive criticism, that I wouldn't come back to the store if prices remained so high. Her response was something about the money going to charity.
Excuse me, I already donate to charity. I shop at Goodwill for cheap kids toys and clothes, and the occasional "miracle" buy (which I haven't found in ages, because all the good stuff either gets intercepted by the employees, or funnelled to Goodwill's auction site.)
Do the words "THRIFT store" ring a bell? Hey, Goodwill. You've got racks and racks of kids clothes, racks so full you can't squeeze another t-shirt. A toy from a $1.99 MacDonald's Happy Meal you sell for $4.99 (no kidding). If you want to make some money for charity, try SELLING a few items instead hoarding them.
So I went to the other Goodwill that's closer to my home. Kids's jeans $1.99. Fine. I'm still mad, though.
posted on November 21, 2000 04:42:54 PM
The market will bring what the market can bear. If they can get that much for these books - good for them. If they can't, the price will go back down. I would check back from time to time.
posted on November 21, 2000 05:56:41 PM
I went to one of my favorite Goodwill stores a couple of weeks ago. This place is an hour away so I dont get there often. But I love it because the prices, especially on books, are very reasonable. I enjoy reading and so does my daughter so I get tons of books. At least I USED too. This last trip I was stunned when I went inside and seen everything had priced tags on it with BAR CODES! *sniff*.
posted on November 21, 2000 06:24:47 PM
We went to the Goodwill Glitter Sale last weekend and I was surprised to see that the prices had more than doubled over last year's prices. Some less than stellar condition items priced in excess of $75.
Goodwill should change their name. There's very little good will twards their customers. The people that support them.
posted on November 22, 2000 05:19:58 AM
Goodwill here is just a laugh. Thank goodness we have year round yard sales here in Florida with books for 25 cents. The only problem is finding them in good condition.
Waiting avidly for the Humane Society yearly sale tho. Last time they hauled out 100 boxes of books that nobody had gone thru and sold them all at 5 cents apiece. That was a killer! Thankfully I brought a truck!
What I don't understand is why they stick them in their storage building and put the junk on the shelves for $2. Hope nobody clues them in!
posted on November 22, 2000 06:21:10 AM
There are some thrift shops where I used to get great deals. Now they are few and far between. I just simply won't buy something that is overpriced. One needs to be very selective.
posted on November 22, 2000 10:49:48 AM
There is a church sponsored thrift store near here that asks churches for MONETARY donations because they are in a very expensive building. My old church gave them $500 a year towards rent, as did many other churches in the area. The stuff in that place is a joke. The clothes section smells so bad you can't walk through it. I saw a baby t-shirt covered in stains with a price tag of $4. Supposedly they are following Jesus' command of clothing the poor, but doesn't seem it to me, not with those prices. Also, there is a sign that says if you buy to re-sell you are not welcome there.
MY church runs a thrift store a couple blocks away and it is a good one. I've found lots of homeschool materials to resell, and I've even bought myself clothes there before. They get good stuff, and its priced reasonable.
